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Glite Dictionary
Austro-Asiatic

Austro-Asiatic

9.8
Belonging to a family of languages like Vietnamese or Khmer spoken in southern and Southeast Asia
  • adjective
  • /ˌɔːstroʊˈeɪʒiˌætɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : austroasiático
  • Linguists have classified languages like Mon and Khmer as part of the Austro-Asiatic family.

Examples

  • Many scholars study Austro-Asiatic linguistics.

  • The migration of Austro-Asiatic speakers influenced the linguistic landscape of Southeast Asia.

  • Many indigenous tribes in India speak languages belonging to the Austro-Asiatic family.

  • Vietnamese and Khmer are prominent representatives of the Austro-Asiatic language group.

  • The Austro-Asiatic languages include Vietnamese and Khmer.

  • The Austro-Asiatic languages include Vietnamese and Khmer, which are spoken by millions in Southeast Asia.

  • Researchers study the Austro-Asiatic family to understand the linguistic diversity in southern Asia.

Surface Forms

Austro-Asiatic positive

Morphology

Austro-Asiatic = Austro- + Asiatic (semi-transparent) = Austro + Asiatic

The component 'Asiatic' is clear to learners, but 'Austro-' is a less familiar combining form and the whole term is technical (a linguistic-family name).

Etymology

Austro-Asiatic comes from Austro- meaning 'south', as in Australia, and Asia meaning 'Asia', so the name points to a family of languages from southern and southeast Asia, like Vietnamese and Khmer.